I'LL BE FINISHED BY 30 SAYS KITSON

Dave Kitson fears that the wear and tear of professional football will force him to quit at the age of 30.

In an exclusive interview, the 25-year-old striker also told the Evening Post that he thinks he will never become a top Premiership player, despite earning rave reviews in his first full season in the Championship as he banged in 19 goals.

Kitson's 6ft 3in frame has taken a battering this year.

He needed a series of injections for a medial knee-ligament injury to get him ready for the first game of the season. And he suffered a more serious knee injury last season, as well as ongoing hip problems.

"I don't think I will play the game for very long," said the former Cambridge United man. "I'll probably only play until I'm about 30.

My body is just not made for playing football.

"My knee and my hip give me problems now and then and over time with wear and tear it could become worse.

"But the most important thing is what goes on in your head and I don't want to be just a run-of-the-mill footballer."